Barack Obama Quotes

The point of nonviolence is to build a floor, a strong new floor, beneath which we can no longer sink. A platform which stands a few feet above napalm, torture, exploitation, poison gas, A and H bombs, the works. Give man a decent place to stand.

The modern choice is between non-violence or non-existence.

All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man.

Dictators will be replaced, not by civil war and terrorism, but by organized nonviolent movements that will insure that freedom, human rights, and dignity will be honored under all flags.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Those who don't understand any language other than the language of force and violence don't respect human dignity. They seek violence because they will be irrelevant without it. We should not go their way.

We speak here of the challenge of the dichotomies of war and peace, violence and non-violence, racism and human dignity, oppression and repression and liberty and human rights, poverty and freedom from want.

I don't favor violence. If we could bring about recognition and respect of our people by peaceful means, well and good. Everybody would like to reach his objectives peacefully. But I'm also a realist. The only people in this country who are asked to be nonviolent are black people.

I think violence is counter-productive and it is bad in democratic societies.

Violence becomes imperative when an attempt is made to assert rights without any reference to duties.

Pacifists should stress more and more that it is the rule of law for which they are fighting.

Pressure or violence will ever move us to relinquish our honor or our equality of rights.

Peace is a civil right which makes other human rights possible. Peace is a precondition for our existence. Peace permits our continued existence.

But nonviolence was never for the oppressor; it was for the oppressed.

Nonviolent resistance makes it possible for the Negro to remain in the South and struggle for his rights. The Negro's problem will not be solved by running away.

By noiselessly going to a prison a civil-resister ensures a calm atmosphere.

The point on nonviolence is to build a floor, a strong new floor, beneath which we can no longer sink.

We cannot speak of human rights in other countries unless we are going to do our utmost to protect the rights of our own people here at home.

We've got to decide that we want to live in a world that is sane and happy and healthy, and that everyone deserves that.

We are all human beings and I believe that we all should have equal rights.

The principal factors which influenced my life are 1) nonviolent tactics; 2) constitutional means; 3) democratic procedures; 4) respect for human personality; 5) a belief that all people are one.

I have never advised the destruction of life, but of property, yes.

I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.

The quest for freedom, dignity, and the rights of man will never end.

My heart is committed to giving everyone the same rights that I deserve for myself.